GOOD NEWS: The renowned martyr of Christianity interred in Lod…

Perhaps the most well-known picture among Christians worldwide, after the cross, is of Saint George riding his powerful horse and slaying a dragon of danger.Much of the West is familiar with this situation, so it’s no surprise that Jorge is one of the most frequent names among Latin American men from California to Patagonia.

Furthermore, a great number of monasteries and parish churches are named after the famous Roman soldier from the fourth century who endured persecution and martyrdom for upholding his Christian beliefs.

Despite his immense fame, there are two things that few people who are devoted to this heroic character are aware of: the martyr’s grave is located in Lod, which is only 20 kilometers south of Tel Aviv, and the legend originated in the Middle East among the Eastern Christians of the Holy Land.

Saint Polychronia, Saint George’s mother, was from Lod; he was born here. His home was the monastery where we are now. According to tradition, he was interred here after he passed away following his martyrdom, Archimandrite Markelos told ISRAEL21c.

According to the Greek Orthodox priest in charge of the sanctuary’s care, Saint Helena, Constantine’s mother, constructed the first church in honor of Saint George (part of the temple’s original rows are visible on the current façade), and the Sasánidas destroyed the location in 614.